Share Article

The launch of a Boston-based real estate franchise with Weichert Real Estate Affiliates is the first of several planned by Broker/Owner Michael Albano. He said, “Being the first in the city of Boston is a real opportunity for us to heighten awareness of Weichert as a major industry name.” The affiliation with Weichert “enables us to compete for more and better listings, helps us recruit more agents and delivers more customers,” he said. Weichert, Realtors® http://www.weichert.com is one of the nation’s largest privately owned providers of real estate and home ownership services.

Being the first in the city of Boston is a real opportunity for us to heighten awareness of Weichert as a major industry name.

Past News Releases

Broker/Owner Michael Albano and Managing Partner Eden Edwards have announced their Boston agency’s move into the franchise arena as an independently owned and operated member of Weichert Real Estate Affiliates (WREA). The office, located at 297 Newbury Street, Suite 301, Boston, is now WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Metropolitan Boston Real Estate.

The name represents the first of several planned Boston area Weichert® offices to open in the future under Albano’s direction. “We are committed to growing the brand in this region,” he said. “Being the first in the city of Boston is a real opportunity for us to heighten awareness of Weichert as a major industry name.” Albano has directed his company for five years toward expansion and feels that they are now ready “to step it up.”

The affiliation with a brand “enables us to compete for more and better listings, helps us recruit more agents and delivers more customers,” he said. Albano was especially impressed with Weichert headquarters in New Jersey where the “call center is on fire.” Edwards noted that Weichert’s Internet presence, relocation outreach and support are unequalled. “These, plus the opportunity to join something relatively new in the area, fit in with our entrepreneurial spirit,” she said.

Albano and Edwards were joined in the announcement by Weichert Affiliates President Martin J. Rueter. “Michael and Eden are forward-thinking and dedicated and have earned a stellar reputation as a quality real estate service company,” Rueter said. “Their team is ideally suited to work with us to expand our presence in the great city of Boston,” he added. “We couldn’t be happier than to make this announcement at this time.”

Weichert, Realtors® is one of the nation’s largest privately owned providers of real estate and home ownership services. The franchise division, Weichert Real Estate Affiliates (WREA), announced its first affiliate in 2002 and by 2005 was identified by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the fastest growing U.S. franchises. Currently, affiliates serve nearly 300 markets in 35 states. One-stop shopping, relocation outreach, top Internet presence, agent training and leads direct to agents cement the Weichert reputation. From founder Jim Weichert to Weichert Affiliates President Martin J. Rueter and his management staff, the team is made up of people who have been in the field as Realtors, Brokers, office owners, managers and sales people.

ABOUT THE PRINCIPALS

Michael Albano, in real estate since 1990, founded Metropolitan Boston Real Estate in 2005 as the culmination of his many advertising, marketing, Internet and real estate experiences. Earlier (2001), he led Group Boston Real Estate's rise as one of the area's best independent real estate companies. Between 1990 and 2000, he was immersed in an advertising career, in charge of business development for Boston area ad agency Hawley & Armian. After building the firm's size and reputation, in 1997, Albano moved to Moscow to work for Friedman & Rose, a Boston-based agency which had established itself early in the emerging Russian advertising market and maintains that position. In 1998, as Director of Planning at TBWA/BDDP Milan, he helped develop Italian and European brand communication strategies. In 2000, he returned to Boston as Marketing Communications Director with the Internet start-up Telegea.com for the year prior to re-entering real estate. Born in Somerville, Albano has called the Boston area home for most of his life and has an “incredible appreciation for and knowledge of” the communities making up the greater Metropolitan Boston area.

Eden Edwards came from the publishing world. While enjoying a successful career as an editor and writing instructor in children’s literature, she began in 2007 to assist her husband, Michael Albano, with his real estate company. “I discovered I really enjoyed working with people doing real estate transactions,” she said. Because she vividly remembers her move to Boston, she also finds that helping people relocate is rewarding. Edwards manages the office and works with both sales and leasing clients. She graduated from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, with a bachelor’s degree in speech communications. She was attracted to Boston as a publishing industry center and worked as the marketing and advertising manager for the Horn Book Magazine, a leading children’s book review journal, and later joined Houghton-Mifflin’s children’s book division as senior editor. Edwards has a master’s degree in creative writing, taught writing for children and young adults at Emerson College, and is an annual guest instructor for the Boston area Teachers as Scholars program.

A grand opening of the new Boston affiliate will be announced. Meanwhile, Albano, Edwards and the staff and sales team of WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Metropolitan Boston Real Estate can be reached at 617-425-6300.